Earn 3 credit hours in just 9 days while touring Oxford and London and studying with Christian professors.Explore the life of C. S. Lewis, one of the most influential Christian thinkers, apologists, storytellers, and theologians of the 20th century while visiting the sites where he lived and worked.

Instructors: Dr. Philip Tallon (PHL 251), Dr. Devin Brown (ENG 423)Dates: July 19 - July 28Syllabus: Click to download: Philosophy of C. S. Lewis (PHL 251), C. S. Lewis and the Oxford Circle (ENG 423)Cost*: There are two pricing options available for the C. S. Lewis Experience:$3,400 (includes airfare; for all students that want to depart from Lexington, KY and travel with the CSC)$2,300 (without airfare; this option allows students to make their own travel accommodations and meet up with us in London at the beginning of the trip; airfare is expected to cost approximately $1,100)Both options include tuition, living accommodations, travel insurance, and some meals while abroad.At the end of the course, students have the option of continuing to travel in Europe and return home whenever they wish, though these students will be required to provide their own return travel accommodations.

Due to the unique nature of this course and travel/lodging arrangements, space is limited to approximately 30 students. Once registered, we recommend that students reserve their space on the trip by paying their registration deposit on our secure billing page.Students have the unique opportunity to customize this course to their degree plans, earning either English or Philosophy credit during their time abroad. All students will visit the same sites, but classroom interaction time and coursework will differ depending on the student's chosen focus.

A study of the philosophical works of Lewis dealing with arguments for the existence of God based on human rationality, the problem of suffering, objective truth, and moral law. This course also addresses philosophical themes in the Narnia Chronicles and Lewis’ thought in relation to popular culture.

More Information:

C. S. Lewis was one of the most influential Christian thinkers, apologists, storytellers and popular theologians of the 20th century. Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, and The Chronicles of Narnia still sell millions of copies each year. As he journeyed from atheism to Christianity Lewis encountered many objections to the Christian faith. After several years of wrestling with various ideas and debating with his fellow Oxford scholars Lewis himself became a Christian. Through his writings he has influenced millions of people worldwide. Lewis's wide-ranging pen offered insight into a variety of subjects. Human nature. The existence of God. Ethics. Literary criticism. Students who take this course will exit having read broadly through C. S. Lewis's works and a better understanding of the depth of Christian thought.

A study of literature inspired by a Christian vision of life. This course focuses primarily on the writings of C.S. Lewis and secondarily on the Oxford Circle of writers with whom he was associated.

More Information:

Mere Christianity. The Great Divorce. Descent into Hell. The Lord of the Rings. These and other works arose from a close group of Oxford friends who gathered weekly over the course of several decades. This course examines these authors' seminal works (with primary emphasis given to C. S. Lewis) and how their writings continue to shape culture and thought. Students will have an opportunity to discuss Christian themes as they emerge from the course readings. Special attention will also be given to literary criticism with regard to the form and presentation of the writings. Students can expect to become conversant in texts by C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers, and Charles Williams. Additionally, students will be encouraged to further develop their own distinct writing styles, with particular focus given to clarity and creativity in the expression of ideas.

What are the dates for the C. S. Lewis Experience?

July 19-28, 2011- 9 days of traveling through Oxford and London. Students interested in further travel are free to arrive in Europe before those dates and meet up with us in London or remain in Europe upon completion of the course.

How much does the course cost?

In order to make this trip as convenient as possible for students from around the country, we are offering two pricing options for the C. S. Lewis Experience:

$2,300 - Without airfare; this option allows students to make their own travel accommodations and meet up with us in London at the beginning of the trip; airfare is expected to cost approximately $1,100.

$3,400 - Includes airfare; this option is intended primarily for students in and around Lexington, KY. The CSC will provide travel accommodations, and participating students will travel with the group.

Do I need a passport or travel visa to take this course?

Students simply need a passport for the C. S. Lewis Experience.

How many seats are available in the course?

Due to travel/lodging accommodations, space in the course is limited to approximately 30 students. Upon registering for the C. S. Lewis Experience, we strongly recommend that students reserve their seat in the class by paying the registration deposit on our secure billing page.

Registration for the C. S. Lewis Experience is now closed. Be sure to check out our other summer courses.

How do I pay for the course?

The first step to paying for your course at the CSC is paying your registration deposit on our secure billing page. This deposit reserves your seat in the class and is applied toward your final tuition costs.

Are scholarships available for the C. S. Lewis Experience?

Due to the unique nature of this course and inflexible costs associated with travel and living accommodations abroad, there are no CSC scholarships available for this course. We've worked hard to find the best travel deals to make this course as affordable as possible and we've discounted tuition rates relative to other CSC courses to further reduce costs for students.

Does this course happen every year?

CSC "Experience" travel courses are planned on a year-by-year basis. We strive to offer unique travel experiences during summer and winter terms, and course offerings typically vary from semester to semester.

What kind of coursework does the C. S. Lewis Experience entail?

While in Oxford and London time will consist of a mix of classroom-style interaction and free time to travel, sightsee, etc. For specific details on required schoolwork, refer to your course's syllabus.

How does credit transfer to my home institution?

Credit transfer is a commonplace part of college. Your school will have a standardized system in place for receiving transfer credit from outside institutions. Your first step for receiving transfer credit: Download your course syllabus (see above) and contact your advisor or registrar for your school's specific procedures and policies regarding transfer credit. The CSC is happy to assist you in any way we can in this process. If you have any questions about transfer credit (or any other step in the registration process), don't hesitate to contact us.

*Cost is subject to change in the event of exchange rate fluctuations or other unforeseen circumstances.

For a list of full list of steps to studying at the CSC, from course registration to credit transfer, check out The Process.